The Australian Botanic Gardens Shepparton advisory committee has been dissolved and replaced with a new group.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
After only two people applied for its next term, the Australian Botanic Gardens Shepparton advisory committee has been dissolved and will transition to a new format.
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At its December meeting, Greater Shepparton City Council voted to dissolve the committee after a lack of participation interest when its last term finished.
In its place, council noted the formation of an Australian Botanic Gardens Shepparton user group, which will operate under a more flexible and inclusive structure.
The transition will see council meet with interested users four times a year, giving people an opportunity to discuss operations.
A dedicated email address will be established, providing user group members with a direct way to contact council.
A biannual newsletter — published in spring and autumn — will also provide updates on maintenance, progress reports and upcoming projects.
The committee had been established for many years as a strategic advisory body to council, with its sole purpose being to provide advice on the ongoing development, management and performance of the gardens.
It also provided specialised horticulture advice, and an avenue for users to raise matters relating to the gardens and operations.
The Australian Botanic Gardens Shepparton user group will operate under a more flexible and inclusive structure.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Councillor Anthony Brophy, who forwarded the motion, thanked everyone who had been involved in the committee since its beginning, and said community input was “absolutely valuable and paramount” to the success of the gardens.
“It’s important that the public understand why we’re dissolving this particular group,” he said.
“It sounds all doom and gloom, but this change has been more practical, and is a recalibration of where we’re going to go.
“This new structure will support ongoing communication and feedback in a more flexible and informal setting without the need for structured meetings or formal committee processes.”
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali said the transition did not mean people did not have an interest in the botanic gardens.
“From where it was and where it is now, a heavily volunteer-driven advisory group was set up because there was a small amount of council management,” he said.
“It’s evolved to now being a fully maintained council asset. So the advisory committee aren’t required to the level that they were.”
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